The Victorian Secondary School Immunisation Program (SSIP) delivers the National Immunisation Program adolescent schedule in your child’s school, usually run by your local council in partnership with the school. The clinic is free, takes about a day at school, and covers two visits in Year 7 and one in Year 10.
Year 7, two vaccinations
- HPV vaccine, protects against human papillomavirus, which causes cervical and several other cancers. As of 2023, the schedule is a single dose for adolescents (down from two doses previously), recent evidence shows one dose gives strong, durable protection.
- dTpa (whooping cough booster), combined booster against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough.
Year 10, one vaccination
- Meningococcal ACWY, single dose. Adolescents are a higher-risk group for invasive meningococcal disease, particularly the W strain.
Consent
Parents or guardians (or the young person, if a mature minor under Gillick competency) must sign a consent form for each vaccine. Schools usually send consent forms home 4–6 weeks before the clinic. If you have not received one, ask the school office. Mature minors can consent independently in some cases, your immuniser is trained to assess.
If your child misses the school day
Don’t worry, there’s a clear catch-up route. Options:
- The next council-run school catch-up clinic, usually held within a few weeks.
- Your local council immunisation session, most run weekly or fortnightly and are free.
- A community pharmacy with immuniser scope. We provide catch-up doses for ages 5 and over at our Sunshine pharmacy. Some vaccines (dTpa, MMR, meningococcal ACWY) have age-16+ restrictions in the pharmacy setting; we’ll confirm at the consult.
- Your GP.
Booster after Year 10?
Adolescents in some situations (close contacts of meningococcal cases, students living in residential settings, travellers) may need additional doses. Speak to your GP or pharmacist immuniser.
For the full list of childhood and adolescent vaccines under the NIP, see our vaccine schedule page or visit our schools service page.
Sources & further reading
General information only. This article is educational and is not a substitute for personal medical advice. Your immuniser will confirm eligibility and contraindications on the day.
TGA advertising compliance. Vaccines are referred to by disease or category in line with the Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code. Specific brands and registered indications are discussed at the consultation.